We’re proud to be partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the The Great Urban Race New Orleans Championship. Since 1962, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.
www.stjude.org
2/21/2009 - Tampa Bay
2/28/2009 - Phoenix
3/21/2009 - Los Angeles
4/4/2009 - Austin
4/18/2009 - Atlanta
5/2/2009 - Washington DC
5/16/2009 - San Francisco
5/30/2009 - Boston
6/6/2009 - Portland
6/20/2009 - Madison
6/27/2009 - Denver
7/11/2009 - Minnesota
8/1/2009 - Chicago
8/15/2009 - New York City
8/29/2009 - Seattle
9/12/2009 - Charlotte
9/26/2009 - Philadelphia
10/3/2009 - Dallas
10/16/2009 - Normal, Illinois
10/24/2009 - San Diego
11/7/2009 - New Orleans Championship
Team TWO Girls
Gail Loving & Sandy Kimbrough
Place finished in the 2008 Dallas race:
26th (arrggghhhhh!)
Place finished in the 2008 Austin race:
4th (sweet!!!)
Place finished in the 2008 National Championship:
9th
Why did you have fun participating in The Great Urban Race?
Sandy: GUR is awesome because it’s not just about how fast you can run; training helps, but just having common sense and not making stupid mistakes is even more important. After Dallas, we were DETERMINED to qualify for Vegas, so we made the trip to Austin to compete again! When we finished 4th, we couldn’t wipe the grins off our faces. We were so pumped!
It really is like the Amazing Race; after applying to be on the show in season 5 (and not being selected L), I was thrilled to find GUR! I love it and I’ll be back next year!!!!
Gail: This race is basically a combination of all my favorite things! Meeting new people in a fun environment, solving puzzles, and physical competition.
How do you know each other?
Sandy: I actually was a last-minute sub for Gail’s original partner, who was injured after they registered. Gail teaches fitness classes at a corporate wellness center called “The TWO” and I was teaching ballroom, Latin, and country dance classes there. (Hey, how about a challenge that involves jitterbug or salsa?) Gail sent out an e-mail looking for a partner and I responded “YES!” Since then, we’ve become good friends; I couldn’t ask for a better teammate.
Gail: Sandy was my country western dance teacher. Until my original teammate for my first GUR race got injured and she volunteered to take her place, I had no idea what an interesting and fun person she was! I just try to pretend I'm not really old enough to be her mother.
What’s your favorite part about participating in The Great Urban Race?
Sandy: The RUSH of racing. I am an adrenaline junkie! Also, I love telling people about our adventures in the GUR. Plus it’s hilarious! I mean, spinning around a bat and getting so dizzy you fall down, running around a city we don’t know, trying to talk on the phone while keeping up with my partner and not getting hit by a car……those are good times!!!!…… AND I LOVE that we don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to make it to the start on time!!! Oh yeah, the after-race celebration! (sorry, I know that was more than one favorite thing!)
Gail: My favorite part about participating is the feeling of accomplishment I have when I finish the race--not to mention the crazy atmosphere.
Why would you recommend The Great Urban Race?
Sandy: Oh my gosh, it is so much fun! Just do it!!!! You’ll love it.
Gail: I would recommend the GUR because it is very organized and set up to be both challenging and fun at the same time. Joe (the race director) is easily accessible and open to comments. Plus, you form a bond with your teammate in both training (at least I need to put in some extra running hours to make it) and strategizing while on the course.
Thoughts about The Great Urban Race?
Joe, you ROCK!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!
***Championship registration cuts off on 11/4/09***
We’re coming to The Big Easy for our 2009 National Championship!
The top 25 teams from each city from around the nation will descend upon New Orleans on November 7th to compete for the $10,000 National Championship prize!
The 2009 National Championship will consist of a preliminary race in the morning (all teams will compete in this race) and an Elite Eight Final in the afternoon (the top eight teams from the morning race compete again).
The preliminary race will be a similar level of difficulty and style as all 2009 local races. The Elite Eight race will step up the difficulty a few notches.
Qualifying teams may substitute one teammate for the Championship race. For example, if Team ABC qualifies for the National Championship and one teammate is not able to attend, they may be substituted for a different teammate in the Championship. Substituting both teammates will not be allowed.
Packet Pick-up: 7:00am - 7:55am
Start / Finish Location: Coming soon.
Directions & Parking: Coming soon.
Preliminary Race Start Time: 8:00am
Elite Eight Race Start Time: 1:00pm
Post-Race Party: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
721 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Results and event pictures will be posted here within three days after the event.
$60 per person until 11/4/09
No registration after 11/4/09
1st Place: $10,000
Best Costume
Native Eyewear Challenge Winners
In the event of a Disaster including hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorism, etc. the race director and The Great Urban Race staff will decide whether or not to cancel the event based on the safety of participants and staff. Participants will NOT receive refunds in the event of a Disaster, but will have the option to transfer registration to a different 2009 city (Championship not included). Every participant accepts the risk of his or her entry.
Click Here for 2008 Championship Results